World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for July 4
French-Canadians are especially feeling it today, as both Canada and France quest for the quarterfinals. Morocco and Paraguay also have ambitions to get into the elite eight.
Oh, Cabo Verde. So close. So heartbreaking.
Despite Argentina getting the go-ahead goal in the second half of extra time, scratching out a 3-2 win that went down to the final whistle, with chance after chance falling just short, the post-match talk was not about the Albiceleste's inevitable march to the final, but rather, Cabo Verde's incredible run inspiring the non-Argentina part of the globe.
Also, in the process of this World Cup, I have my new favorite phrase which I know I'll end up using in future Austin FC coverage.
Australia had some ABSOLUTE CHIMNEYS moments in a PK sequence that saw them fall to Egypt after bringing Mo Salah's team to its third 1-1 draw of the tournament. Don't be shocked if Argentina-Egypt is 1-1 after the 90. (I can't guarantee what happens after that.)
Colombia, meanwhile, closed out the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Ghana. The Jhon Arias goal came early, but not as early as injury subs for either team. Then more soccer happened.
Today, the Round of 16 starts with my two non-U.S. favorites in action. First, Canada makes history and sets out to make more, playing a Morocco team that had to dispatch Netherlands in the Round of 32, while France continues its seemingly inevitable march to the final (or at least the semis, where very possibly the U.S. or Spain await), playing a Paraguay team that upset Germany (and deprived us of a France-Germany Round of 16).
The winners of Saturday's matches will face each other in the quarterfinals. Yes, a battle for my French-Canadian soul is in the works (and what I'm rooting for, though a rematch of the 2022 France-Morocco semifinal seems more likely, and quite enticing).
For the next four days, we get two elimination matches a day, with some incredible matchups, with potentially at least several more on the horizon.
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Canada 1, South Africa 0
Monday, June 29
Brazil 2, Japan 1
Paraguay 1(4), Germany 1(3)
Morocco 1(3), Netherlands 1(2)
Tuesday, June 30
Norway 2, Côte d'Ivoire1
France 3, Sweden 0
Mexico 2, Ecuador 0
Wednesday, July 1
England 2, DR Congo 1
Belgium 3, Senegal 2
United States2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
Thursday, July 2
Spain 3, Austria 0
Portugal 2, Croatia 1
Switzerland 2, Algeria 0
Friday, July 3
Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2
Colombia 1, Ghana 0
Egypt 1(4), Australia 1(2)
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4
Canada vs. Morocco, noon, Houston
Paraguay vs. France, 4 pm, Philadelphia
Sunday, July 5
Brazil vs. Norway, 3 pm, East Rutherford, N.J.
Mexico vs. England, 7 pm, Mexico City
Monday, July 6
Portugal vs. Spain, 3 pm, Jerryworld
United States vs. Belgium, 7 pm, Seattle
Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt, 11 am, Atlanta
Switzerland vs. Colombia, 3 pm, Vancouver
Quarterfinals run July 9-11. Set all your appointments and meetings and schedule all your errands for Wednesday, July 8.
Where to watch
If I were in Austin, I'd go beer + poutine at Haymaker for Canada and then take a rideshare to Justine's for France. If you can get to New Orleans by noon, meet me at Bayou Beer Garden!
What to read
I'm getting a bit misty reading this from a Cabo Verde fan.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Austin FC has a sixth straight Decision Day that doesn't impact its playoff chances. But its opponent from the Pacific Northwest has many scenarios to get into the postseason.
Brad Stuver was a surprising opening day starter in 2021, en route to becoming a six-year fixture in goal. For the last five years, he's been measurably one of MLS' best.
The 17-year-old Finnish youth international midfielder has officially signed with Verde through the 2030-31 season. What does it mean for a team that's most definitely rebuilding?
Austin FC let in four goals, making it the worst of Damian Las' six starting outings this season. However, Micah Burton and Ervin Torres connected on a goal that portends good things for the future.
Oh, Cabo Verde. So close. So heartbreaking.
Despite Argentina getting the go-ahead goal in the second half of extra time, scratching out a 3-2 win that went down to the final whistle, with chance after chance falling just short, the post-match talk was not about the Albiceleste's inevitable march to the final, but rather, Cabo Verde's incredible run inspiring the non-Argentina part of the globe.
Also, in the process of this World Cup, I have my new favorite phrase which I know I'll end up using in future Austin FC coverage.
Australia had some ABSOLUTE CHIMNEYS moments in a PK sequence that saw them fall to Egypt after bringing Mo Salah's team to its third 1-1 draw of the tournament. Don't be shocked if Argentina-Egypt is 1-1 after the 90. (I can't guarantee what happens after that.)
Colombia, meanwhile, closed out the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Ghana. The Jhon Arias goal came early, but not as early as injury subs for either team. Then more soccer happened.
Today, the Round of 16 starts with my two non-U.S. favorites in action. First, Canada makes history and sets out to make more, playing a Morocco team that had to dispatch Netherlands in the Round of 32, while France continues its seemingly inevitable march to the final (or at least the semis, where very possibly the U.S. or Spain await), playing a Paraguay team that upset Germany (and deprived us of a France-Germany Round of 16).
The winners of Saturday's matches will face each other in the quarterfinals. Yes, a battle for my French-Canadian soul is in the works (and what I'm rooting for, though a rematch of the 2022 France-Morocco semifinal seems more likely, and quite enticing).
For the next four days, we get two elimination matches a day, with some incredible matchups, with potentially at least several more on the horizon.
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Monday, July 6
Tuesday, July 7
Quarterfinals run July 9-11. Set all your appointments and meetings and schedule all your errands for Wednesday, July 8.
Where to watch
If I were in Austin, I'd go beer + poutine at Haymaker for Canada and then take a rideshare to Justine's for France. If you can get to New Orleans by noon, meet me at Bayou Beer Garden!
What to read
I'm getting a bit misty reading this from a Cabo Verde fan.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Read Next
Foreign Exchange: Three questions with Stumptown Footy's Sam Svilar
Austin FC has a sixth straight Decision Day that doesn't impact its playoff chances. But its opponent from the Pacific Northwest has many scenarios to get into the postseason.
Stuuuuuuupendous: Sizing up Brad Stuver's six years of service
Brad Stuver was a surprising opening day starter in 2021, en route to becoming a six-year fixture in goal. For the last five years, he's been measurably one of MLS' best.
'You don't ever want to concede four goals': Thematically exploring Austin FC's Halloween horror show
Austin FC let in four goals, making it the worst of Damian Las' six starting outings this season. However, Micah Burton and Ervin Torres connected on a goal that portends good things for the future.